The winner of Surrey Pride’s second annual “So You Think You Can Drag” has been crowned. Cole Izsak, aka Mayor Lynne Munroe Locke, wow-ed the sold-out crowd with their award-winning performance.
Surrey Pride Society hosted the event Saturday (April 13) at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford (15269 104 Ave), where five community leaders dressed in drag to raise money for the charity of their choice and Surrey Pride. The chosen charities were Back on Track Recovery, Surrey Fire Fighters Charitable Society, BC Cancer Foundation- Tour de Cure, Peace Arch Hospital Foundation and Atira’s 2STGD Housing.
Surrey Pride president Martin Rooney said this was the first time each of them had performed in drag.
Izsak and the four other community members arrived at the venue a few hours before the gala started to begin their transformation into drag.
The other community members were Rory Morgan from Surrey Board of Trade, Jose Velazquez, director of supportive housing programs & tenant relations at Atira, MLA for Surrey- Cloverdale Mike Starchuk, and Doug Tennant, CEO of UNITI who all performed to a song.
“I have to say that this lineup right here smells community; they have done more work in this city than most people ever have, and they continue to do it,” said emcee and drag queen Myria LeNoir.
In preparation for the event, the men were mentored by one of three drag queens: Carlotta Gurl, Mina Mercury and LeNoir.
Surrey Pride Society hosted its second annual “So You Think You Can Drag” on Saturday (April 13). Five community leaders dressed in drag to raise money for the charity of their choice and Surrey Pride. @SurreyPrideBC
— Anna Burns (@AnnaBBurns) April 16, 2024
After all five performances, the audience voted, and Mayor Lynne Munroe Locke, aka Cole Izsak, was crowned the winner. Izsak dedicated his performance to his partner, who passed away recently.
Surrey Pride will match Izack’s donations up to $5,000 to Back on Track Recovery, his charity of choice. Any remaining net profits will go toward the 2024 Surrey Pride Festival, planned for June 22 at Surrey Civic Plaza.
“It was an epicly successful evening,” said Rooney. $24, 000 was raised for the local charities.
The gala included a silent auction and live entertainment by the band The Apartment. Tickets for the fundraising gala were $125 each or $1000 per table.
READ MORE: Surrey MLA will transform into drag for fundraising gala
Several current and former politicians attended Saturday’s event, including Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke, Coun. Pardeep Kooner, former mayor Linda Hepner and former MP Penny Priddy.
“On behalf of Surrey Council, it is always a pleasure to work and have some fun times with Surrey pride, so thank you,” Locke said.